What an IMEI is
An IMEI is a unique device number assigned to a mobile phone. It helps identify the exact unit, separate from the model name or storage size.
IMEI verification
What clean IMEI means
A clean IMEI helps confirm the phone is not reported lost, stolen, blocked by a carrier, or tied to a lock status that would prevent normal activation.
- Verified clean status
- Lock checks included
- Masked in public reports
Why the IMEI matters
The IMEI is the device identifier carriers and registries use to understand a phone's network status.
What blacklisted or financed means
A blacklisted device may have been reported lost or stolen. A financed device may still have carrier payments attached, which can create activation risk.
What we check
We require checks for lost and stolen registries, activation locks, and carrier financing flags before a verified used-phone listing goes live.
How we verify IMEI status
IMEI status is one part of the broader Verified Device Report.
01
Registry check
The device is checked against lost, stolen, and blocklist sources available to the screened partner.
02
Lock check
Activation lock, account lock, carrier lock, and management lock signals are reviewed before listing.
03
Documented in the report
The Verified Device Report records clean IMEI status while the public IMEI is partially masked.
Verified clean means
- The device passed required lost and stolen checks.
- The reported lock status matches the listing data.
- The report records IMEI status as verified-clean.
- The public report masks part of the IMEI for privacy and fraud prevention.
Red flags on marketplaces
- No IMEI shown or no willingness to verify it before purchase.
- A seller refuses a clean-status check.
- A price far below market with no report data.
- Vague claims about being unlocked without carrier or activation-lock detail.
Clean IMEI questions
See the full verification process
Clean IMEI is only one part of the partner screening and device testing flow.